Stereotype-matrix.



PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

F SGHRBINBR STEREOTYPE MATRIX. ArrLxoAnoN FILED nov. ao, 1904.

BY u

ATTOHIV'YS' UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

l Application lod November 30. 19114. Serial No. 234.872.

To (LIZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH SCHREINER, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Stercotype-Matrix, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to stereotype-matriccs, and includes the process of making the same, as well as the parts of the matrix.

The object of the invention is to simplify the production of stereotype-matrices and to provide a process which may be carried out quickly by means of dried sheets which can be kept in stock ready for use at a moments notice. y

A secondary' object is to dispense with the necessity of mixing paste as used in the ordinary matrix processes and to provide a matrix which may he quickly dried and made ready for instant use.

Further objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

In practicing the invention I employ a pair of dry sheets which are adapted to be moistened and applied tothe type. These sheets adhere together and become firmly set when dried, so as to present a substantial matrxbody to be used for casting the stereotype. The sheet which is laid immediately against the type, which is called the facing-sheet, has agummed surface and is provided with a coating in addition to said gummed surface. The backing-sheet, which is laid upon the facing-sheet, has a gummed surface, but is preferably not coated otherwise.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of 'reference indicate corresponding partsV in all the views.

Figure 1 is a section taken through the facing-sheet. Fig. 2 is a section taken through the backing-sheet. Fig. 3 is a section taken through the two sheets represented as superposed one upon the other. Fir'. 4 is a plan view of`the sheets superposed, certain parts being represented as torn away; and Fig. 5 is a section representing diagrammatically the finished matrix.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents a facing-sheet the surface 2 of which is covered with an adhesive substance. The mixture which I prefer to use for this purpose contains substantially twelve ounces of flour, eight ounces of starch, three ounces gelatin, and sixounces of gum-arabic. These parts I mix with three quarts of water and boil the mixture until it is suitable for formingr a coating. After the sheet is coated with this substance or gum I cover the entire sheet with alfine powder 3, of carbon, mineral, or

metal, such as aluminium. Having been allowed to dry, this sheet may be put away and kept in stock for use at short notice. This facing-sheet is preferably of fabric or paper.

The backing-sheet 4 is preferably made of felt, fabric, or paper, which I coat with a mixture of three ounces of gum-tragacanth, twelve ounces o'f flour-paste, three pounds of dextrine. and one pound of gum-arabic, all of which is mixed with one gallon of water. After this mixture is dissolved I coat the sheets with the same and allow the su bstance to dry so as Y to form a gum. Like the facing-sheet described above, this backingsheet may be packed away to be kept in 'stock for immediate use at any time.

In forming a matrix the operator or stereotyper immerses the facing-sheet in water for one or two seconds until the sheet has become 'noistened, whereupon it is applied with its coated side. against the type. It is then carefully beaten against the face'of the type by means of a beating-brush applied by light blows, and iu this manner the body of the sheet is made to conform substantially to the form of the type-faces, as indicated in Fig. 5, so that the coated face 0f the sheet receivesa sharp and fine impression which is an exact counterpart or mold of the type. When the facing-sheet has received a uniform and complete impression, the backing-sheet 1s 1mmersed in water for about one or two seconds, and this is superposed upon the facing-sheet with its gummed side against the back of the facing-sheet, as will be readily understood. Then' with the brush and by means of a succession of light blows the backing-sheet is pressed closely against the facing-sheet, and the two sheets become united to f orrn a hrm and rigid stereotype-matrix, which. 1s then dried in an oven upon a hot plate-drier or on a steam-table, as may be desired. Afte: the moist matrix has dried for a few minutes 1t can be used immediately for stereotyping, and by, means of' it sharp-faced printingplates may he cast instantly. If desired, the .dry matrix may be kept on hand for future casting.

The manner described of beating in separately the two sheets which compose the matrix is considered highly advantageous, as it reduces the wear and tear upon the type.

Byl

l reason of the fact that large quantities of paste are dispensed with the time necessary for drying the matrix is much reduced, and this is an advantageous feature of the process, as it also conduces toward preserving the type.

A good substantial matrix may be formed from the gummed sheets without necessitating the previous' heating of the type-forms,

which is a usual step of stereotyping processes.

as now practiced. In order to form the matrix in this manner, the gummed surface of the dried backing-sheet will he moistened by means of a sponge or similar device, and upon this moistened surface the back of the facingsheet is placed. After the two sheets have become firmly united, as indicated in Fig. 3, and feel soft to the touch from the moisture the com posite sheet islaid upon the type-form with the coated surface of the ,facingsheet against the type, as before. Over the sheets a blanket is placed, and an impression is taken with a matrix-impressing machine. A' good impression may he produced within a few seconds, and the matrix can be removed and used immediately for casting without drying upon the type-form. Before casting the matrix should be heated a few seconds upon a hot plate or similar heatingr device. The stereo- -type-plates cast with the matrix will be found to have sharp clean-cut printing-faces.

My invention has many advantages over the slow process now in use for forming mst-rines.

`This usually involves the mixing of largel sour and make it necessary for the successive pastingof the matrix-sheets to be gone overl with a second time. f Instead of using the coating of carbon, mineral, or metal I may use a layer of silky paper for the same purpose, which will give substantially as good results as the powder.

Having th us described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. As a. new article of manufacture, a ma; trix having a facing-sheet with a coating, and a backing-sheet coated with a mixture of gumtragacanth, liour, dextrin, gum-arabic and Water.

.2. As a new article of manufacture, a facingsheet for forming matrices, consisting of a fabric or paper coated with a mixture of iiour, starch, gelatin, gum-arabic and water, and having a coating" of powder of carbon.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a backing-sheet for a matrix consisting of felt fabric or paper coated with a mixture of gumtragacanth, flour, dextrin, gum-arabic and water.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub'- scribing witnesses.

FRIEDRICH SCHREINER.v

W'itnesses: y

` D. M. RUNYON,

'Br-E, Curran, J r. 

